Treasure Island

Alan P Frayne gives a comic twist to the Robert Louis Stevenson classic, beloved of generations of children, featuring cabin boy Jim (Hawkins) and pirate Long John Silver.  Here, however, the audience is immediately transported to panto-land.  A cast of ten principals, five chorus members and the Marian Lane School dancers, clearly enjoy themselves and ensure the audience does too.

Co-director, Malcolm Alderson, is once again the Dame, in the many and varied forms of Rosie Bloom.  Unfortunately, he hurt his leg in the course of this performance but played on gamely, not giving the audience an inkling of his discomfort.  Gareth Graham is the villain of the piece, the infamous Long John, although it is hard to dislike him, despite his efforts to the contrary.  His peg-leg was cleverly created and he exhibited over the top, villainous humour throughout.  The comedy duo of pirates Blind Ali (Ruano Sutton) and Sea Snake Sully (Adam Waugh) are entertaining and amusing, especially bearing in mind that Adam took on the role with only two days notice.  He carries it off well and the join is barely discernible. Kath Richardson as Billy Barnacle is an amusing and worryingly convincing drunk!

The hero of the tale is, of course, young Jim, played engagingly in true principal boy fashion by Ashley Waugh who performs her part, acting and singing, with some style.  She and principal girl, Penny, played by Holly Hutchinson, are an attractive couple.  I always enjoy the playing of Marion Faulkner, here in two totally separate roles as Barmy Ben and Potty Patsy.  As ever, Marion is a hoot.  Rounding off the principal cast, co-director Pamela Alderson is a fine and tuneful Captain Mullett whilst Luke Elliott is slightly more serious than usual as the Squire, albeit still amusing and engaging.

The small chorus fill in all additional parts seamlessly and the very young dancers of Marian Lane are, as ever, delightful - even the two who came to sit next to me in the audience, to enthusiastically watch the second act!  As usual, MD John Hopkinson performed manfully on the keyboards with his small ensemble, well drummer actually.  The interpolated musical numbers, with a nod towards musical theatre, were most enjoyable and well performed whether as solos, duets or the full company.  As always, I thoroughly enjoyed a well directed, well performed, superior pantomime.

Councillor remarks: Similar to Michael may I give my thanks for a well rounded and superbly executed example of the art of pantomime which had me chuckling to myself throughout.

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